Announcing two new residency pathways, the minister for economic growth, Nicola Willis, on Tuesday said skilled and experienced migrants could help plug gaps in the workforce. The residency pathways will be introduced from mid-2026. The second is for migrants in trades and technical roles who meet qualification, work experience and wage thresholds. Immigration minister Erica Stanford said the skilled work experience pathway was designed to help employers retain experienced workers “who are already contributing to New Zealand’s economy and have demonstrated value in their roles”. In January, the government relaxed its visitor visa rules to attract so-called “digital nomads”– people who work remotely while travelling – to work in New Zealand.